CHRISTMAS DRIVES AID YOUNG AND OLD

Jack Frost has arrived in Cape Girardeau, and Christmas can't be far behind. But for many children and the elderly, Christmas may not come at all without the help of benevolent strangers bearing gifts.

Some children may miss out on Christmas because of divorce, while the parents of others may be the victims of downsizing. Other parents may simply not have enough to go around.

Lack of money is always a problem for the elderly. Medicaid and Social Security only go so far, and small incomes often cannot afford basic necessities like food, toiletries and utilities. Every winter, many senior citizens forego food so they can have heat, and vice versa.

That's where the benevolent strangers come in.

For 22 years, the Southeast Missourian has co-sponsored Toybox with the Cape Girardeau Jaycees so that needy children do not miss out on receiving gifts at Christmas.

And the Christmas for the Elderly program is co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center and the Southeast Missourian. It is in its 12th year, and its purpose is to provide for the needs and wants of senior citizens in the area at Christmas and throughout the year.

Parents often leave blank the section of the Toybox application that asks what toy is desired, or they put down that anything will help. Other parents say they need educational toys or specialized toys for a handicapped child. Many parents write that they need help, not a handout.

The requests of the elderly are sometimes as simple as toilet tissue and new socks. Others want cab coupons so they can visit a spouse living in a nursing home. Many need help paying for medication, hypodermic needles and other medical supplies.

All Toybox donations will be used to buy gifts for children through the age of 12 who otherwise might not receive Christmas gifts. Parents wishing to apply should take proof of residency and a Social Security card for each person who lives at the address to the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, by Dec. 6. Children must live within the Cape Girardeau city limits to receive Toybox toys.

New, unwrapped toys and other gifts for either program may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office or area locations. Toybox gifts will be delivered by a team of Jaycee Santas on Dec. 19.

Christmas for the Elderly gifts will be accepted through Dec. 13. Cash contributions, cab coupons, paper products and grocery store gift certificates are always needed and may help elderly people all year long.

Contributions may be mailed separately to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699, or Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.